Hyundai ix20

Mini MPV is spacious and cheap

This score is awarded by our team of expert reviewers after extensive testing of the car

Large interior

Cheap to run

Generous warranty

Noisy diesel

Ride comfort could be better

Not much fun to drive

£15,450 - £19,040
Price range

5
Seats

43 - 64
MPG

Review

Much like the rest of the modern crop of Hyundais, the ix20 gets fairly good reviews.

Critics like the fact that, as an overall package, the ix20 is excellent value for money, with good storage space and a low starting price.

Reviewers have noted that there are a few areas that the Hyundai was a bit of a let-down, notably the fact that the only diesel option isn’t particularly good, and it isn’t a car you’d seek out a fast road in, but everything considered, it still appears to be a worthy option for those wanting a small MPV.

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Available trims

Driving

Not as fun as rivals but good set-up for UK roads

As expected from a multi-purpose vehicle, the ix20 is capable in a wide array of road conditions.

This is partly because Hyundai have spent a lot of time testing the ix20 on roads in the UK, so it’s had some fine-tuning for the poorer road surfaces that exist around the country, and this shows.

The light controls and good visibility make the ix20 an easy car to drive in town, despite its relative size, and the supportive seats go some way to make up for the rather firm ride.

Out on larger country roads reviewers found that the lack of steering feedback and body roll in the corners made it slightly less composed, even if the level of grip was always good.

However, critics were most vocal about the level of noise in the cabin from the engine, especially on the diesel model. Additionally, many didn’t think the ix20 was as fun-to-drive as rivals like the Nissan Note.

The six-speed manual box has a slick action, and its tall top gear offers relaxed cruising

Auto Express

Engine

Entry-level petrol is pick of the bunch

There are two engine sizes in the range and both are available with either petrol or diesel power.

The 1.4-litre petrol is choice most testers were inclined to recommend, due to it being the cheapest to buy and able to achieve around 50mpg. The 1.6-litre petrol has a lot more power but isn’t much quicker, and is more expensive to run, partly because it’s only available with a four-speed automatic gearbox.

The 1.4-litre unit has the same 89hp that the petrol unit provides but is capable of 65mpg, and can cruise happily on the motorway once up to speed.

Both diesel units are frugal enough, but are quite noisy and unrefined, and are more expensive to buy from the outset, so testers recommend them only to those looking at stacking up high mileages.

Learn more about a specific engine

We aggregate and summarise the most helpful Hyundai ix20 1.4 reviews from the best publications.

It may be the smallest and least potent engine in the range, but the 1.4 petrol model does get a fair bit of praise from the critics. It’s not particularly quick, especially when fully laden with luggage and passengers, but it gets the job done well whilst remaining relatively cheap to buy and run.

With the max power and torque figures being delivered fairly high up in the rev range, you do need to work the engine a bit in order to make progress. However, it does settle down at higher speeds, though one critic did state that the lack of a sixth gear means the ix20 is a bit noisy.

The 1.4 is one of the least expensive ix20 variants on sale, and the claimed 50 mpg is quite impressive for a car that offers such a large amount of space. It’s also one of the most affordable cars in its class to tax.

If you regularly do large mileages, then you may want to look at the diesel model – it may be a bit more expensive to buy, but it returns far greater fuel economy. However, if that’s not the case, then the petrol powered ix20 might just fit the bill. It may not be the most refined or spacious mini-MPV on the market, but its enticing value is very difficult to ignore.

We aggregate and summarise the most helpful Hyundai ix20 1.4 CRDi reviews from the best publications.

Much like the similarly sized petrol model, the 1.4 diesel powered ix20 went down well with the testers. There were some complaints regarding refinement issues, but overall the Hyundai is an impressively affordable and spacious mini-MPV.

The diesel unit as the same power as the smallest petrol, so the ix20 isn’t what you’d call ‘fast’. However, it does have more torque than the 1.4 petrol, so you don’t need to work it quite as hard in order to get up to higher speeds. The diesel also comes with an extra gear ratio over the petrol car’s five-speed manual, so motorway journeys are a bit more pleasant.

There were, however, some downsides with the car. The biggest complaint regarded the refinement of the engine, with many stating that it’s quite a noisy unit. Also, despite the impressive 60 mpg, the diesel car is substantially more expensive than the cheaper petrol model, so you’ll need to rack up a huge mileage for the oil burner to make sense.

Overall, it’s a good car with plenty of positive credentials. However, unless long journeys are a regular occurrence for you, we’d recommend having a look at the 1.4 petrol model as well.

These are general, non-engine specific reviews. They give a nice overview of what the car is like, without focusing on just one engine/version.

Hyundai’s four-cylinder diesel engine is gruff above 2,500rpm and a little laggy below, but its petrol option is quieter and more responsive

Autocar

Safety

Top marks from Euro NCAP

The ix20 is reassuringly equipped to protect a family in the event of an accident.

There are active head restraints for front passengers to help prevent whiplash injury, and optional extras like a hill-hold assist system, to make hill-starts easier and prevent the car from rolling back.

Other cars in the small-car Hyundai family have achieved five stars in Euro NCAP crash testing, so it’s no surprise that the ix20 has also received full marks, scoring 89% in adult occupant safety.

There are plenty of safety features as standard including driver and passenger airbags, side airbags and curtain airbags for rear passengers

Parkers

Value for money

Generous standard kit and a superb warranty

Being a Hyundai, the ix20 is certainly at the more affordable end of the small MPV market, with prices starting at just over £12,000 for a base model with the 1.4-litre engine.

It comes with a generous amount of standard equipment, it’s cheap to run, and it even promises to hold its value a little better than previous Hyundais.

For a car of this price, it’s also quite spacious inside, though it must be said that the Citroen C3 Picasso is roomier, and the Nissan Note is around the same price and may feel just slightly less like a budget option.

But don’t forget about the five year warranty that Hyundai offer, though.

Every car gets Hyundai's 'Five Year Triple Care' package, which includes not only a five year/unlimited mileage manufacturer's warranty and five years roadside assistance but also five years of vehicle health checks

Honest John

Conclusion

Overall, the Hyundai ix20 is a very well-sorted car.

There are some quality issues here and there, it’s not the sharpest car to drive and there are rivals that do offer a bit more storage space.

However, it’s still roomy enough for most requirements, is cheap to run and even the higher spec models represent good value for money.

Those seeking a budget MPV may look to the Kia Venga, which is even built in the same factory. It comes with Kia’s famous seven year warranty, and could be a tempting alternative to the Hyundai on paper and can be considered a direct rival.

The Hyundai, however, wraps its spacious and well-built interior in a more stylish and satisfying exterior, and those seeking a good value, practical small MPV would be wise to have a look at a Hyundai ix20.

4/10

wowscore
This score is awarded by our team of expert reviewers after extensive testing of the car

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